Intervju med Iha Vahlberg Orre

Where do you live?
I live in Lund, the south part of Sweden in Scandinavia.

What inspires you as a designer-artist?
Mostly from vivid and bold color combos, structures and architectural patterns. Often a beautiful cabochon or a lovely lampwork bead can influence my design.

What medium do you work with mostly?
I love bead embroidery and bead weaving but also Viking knitting with wire. I enjoy working with seed beads from Miyuki, Toho and Czech Preciosa®. But even some interesting gemstones, cabochons, chains and of course Swarovski Crystal in all sizes and shapes. I like mixing materials in my embroidery. I have got a new favourite in Shibori silk ribbons. I don´t like to create a too sweet creation, it has to be a tough element like chains for example.

Why did you become enchanted with this style of jewelry-making?
I think it is because I can incorporate whatever I want and can tell a story. I am not fond of duplicating a design and want my customers to feel special. Since I was a child I have loved to express myself in an artistic way. I started knitting with wire and beads after I had bought a kit at Craft and Quilt Show in Perth, Western Australia, where I lived for some years. Then I developed my skills and was hooked!

Where and How do you sell your jewelry?
From my blog: www.ihaofsweden.com, art exhibitions and Facebook

What is the name of the piece you submitted with your success story?
The Golden Faces

What inspired this design?
There was the beautiful Cloisonné.

How did it come together?
First I had a sketch but after a while it began to live their own lives as it usually does.